The Rocher climb (Troglodytes), Cotignac

The Rocher climb is one of the most popular things to do here in Cotignac. Last year 15,000 two-euro tickets were sold making it a big income attraction for the Municipality here; hence the many recent improvements made in the name of security and beauty.

The dramatic cliff face is the result of hundreds of thousands of years of limescale formations (it used to be one gigantic waterfall!) and became Troglodyte homes where people took refuge up until fairly recently. Rumour has it that Jews were hidden here during World War II, that it was a fort for a castle for hundreds of years and that oil was poured over invaders from above when under threat. There are balistrarias where guns could poke through to aim at an enemy but the fact that you could not see what was underneath protruding cliff was a “point faible” for this fortification. It is now a patrimonial treasure that attracts tourists from all over the world.

More information on opening hours can be found on the Mairie’s website here http://mairiecotignac.fr/promenade-du-rocher-vue-panoramique/